Afiya Francisco is a Style Expert, television and fashion personality, speaker, and brand ambassador. The Style House is a multimedia platform designed to help women approach their personal style with confidence, simplicity & joy.

Jan 24

Jan 24 WINNING MOMS WARDROBE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CBC WORKIN' MOMS

For the second instalment of my style profile series inspired by CBC's new comedy Workin' Moms, I take a look at Jenny Matthews office style. Heading back to work, it can seem an almost impossible task to get out the door on time, in style and mentally intact. It's a good idea to periodically take inventory of your closet and a return from mat leave is a natural time to do so. Weed out pieces that are dated, worn out and ill fitting. We know that it's more efficient to have fewer but better pieces and it's worth it to carve out a couple hours to clean it out. Because, as cheesy as it sounds, you're worth it. It's significantly easier to feel like you're winning (even just a little) when you're dressed the part. Don't believe me? Let's do a ten second test. Close your eyes and picture your most disheveled self running into someone who you haven't seen in awhile. That feeling. Now remember how it felt the last time your best foot was forward. Can you feel the difference? That's the feeling we should at least aim for everyday. Enlist the help of your troop – partner, friends, neighbour, sister, whoever, to hold and play with baby (and act as an extra set of eyes) while you clear through your closet. It may seem unnecessarily arduous but – trust – the time spent in one shot will pave the way for easier mornings, no small thing.

The basics of a functioning wardrobe for a conservative-casual office environment, similar to that of Jenny's IT job, really come down to eight core pieces that can be mixed & matched: blouses, trousers, day dresses, pumps, skirt, tote, and a blazer. Choose the cuts and colours that work best for you. With this foundation, a couple pieces per season rev it up for the ultimate in cubicle chic #MomFTW.

WHY THIS WORKS:

One standout piece, like this Smythe floral blazer from Holt Renfrew, can amp up conservative basics.

The staple pieces can be mixed and matched for the most options with minimal pieces. If you're not back to your pre-baby body, you don't need to invest in a whole new wardrobe a few pieces will see you through stylishly.

Same core pieces as above swapping the Smythe blazer for the Tibi sweater. Both at Holt Renfrew.